Boost to Government Staff: AP Cabinet Clears OPS; Retirement Age Raised to 62
The government has also decided to consider re-engaging retired personnel in institutions based on operational requirements.
Vijayawada: In a major boost to government employees, the Andhra Pradesh Cabinet on Tuesday approved two proposals — restoration of the Old Pension Scheme (OPS) for eligible employees recruited before September 2004 and enhancement of the retirement age from 60 to 62 years.
This would benefit those working in state-owned institutions, societies and residential educational institutions.
The cabinet decided to extend OPS to around 11,000 employees appointed against posts notified before September 2004, bringing them out of the contributory pension scheme. The decision, taken under the provisions of Memo-57, would provide greater financial security and social protection to employees and their families after retirement.
Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu said the government would ensure employee welfare. He noted that the government had earlier extended family pension benefits to families of CPS employees.
The Cabinet approved raising the retirement age from 60 to 62 years for employees and teachers working in public sector undertakings, SC, ST, BC and Minority Welfare societies, Gurukul institutions and other government-supported societies, bringing them on par with state government employees.
The decision will be implemented retrospectively from January 1, 2022. This is expected to benefit more than 15,000 employees.
The government has also decided to consider re-engaging retired personnel in institutions based on operational requirements.
AP NGO Association state president and AP JAC chairman A. Vidyasagar welcomed the decisions. He said these would provide long-term stability, dignity and security to thousands of employees and their families.
